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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Three dimensional structure of the distal condyles of the th...
Equine veterinary journal1999; 31(2); 122-129; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03805.x

Three dimensional structure of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal bone of the horse.

Abstract: This study examined the three-dimensional (3D) microarchitecture of regions of the equine third metacarpal bone (McIII) commonly involved in distal condylar fractures. Limbs were obtained from Thoroughbred horses (neonates to age 24 years) destroyed for inoperable fractures and a variety of other conditions. Beams, blocks and sections were cut in the principal axes, some embedded in PMMA and others examined unembedded. Several methods were used to study the 3D structure, including conventional and confocal optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and radiography. The mineralised articular cartilage tends to cleave in the sagittal plane. Proximal to the subchondral bone, the main trabeculae are robust plates running in the sagittal direction with less significant mediolateral connections. Small blood vessel canals lie inside the sagittal plates. This structure gives maximum strength and protection in the sagittal plane in which the bone rotates, but offers minimal resistance to fracture propagation in this plane. The anatomical course of the common distal condylar fractures of the third metacarpal bones can be explained by underlying anisotropic structural features of the mineralised tissues.
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Publication Date: 1999-04-23 PubMed ID: 10213424DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03805.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the three-dimensional structure of the part of the horse’s third metacarpal bone that is often involved with distal condylar fractures.

Overview of the Research

The study delved into the intricate examination of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) of horses, predominantly the areas commonly associated with distal condylar fractures. The study was conducted using limbs obtained from Thoroughbred horses spanning different ages, destroyed due to varied reasons from incurable fractures to other conditions. The methods of the study involved cutting beams, blocks, and sections along the primary axes, embedding them in PMMA, and some tested without embedding.

Methods of Examination

  • The examination techniques included conventional and confocal optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and radiography. These diverse tools provided varying scales of resolution and depth evaluation which were crucial for the 3D examination of the bone structure.

Findings

  • The research found that the mineralised articular cartilage, a crucial component of the joint, tends to split in the sagittal plane. This is the anatomical direction along the body’s midline, splitting the body into left and right halves.
  • The main support structures or ‘trabeculae’ proximal to the subchondral bone, a layer of bone beneath the cartilage, were observed to be sturdy plates running in the sagittal direction.
  • Conversely, the medial-lateral connections appeared to be less significant. These trabeculae contained small blood vessel canals, further emphasizing the importance of this bone’s structure in providing necessary nutrients for bone health and integrity.
  • The sagittal structure was found to provide maximum strength and protection in the plane of the bone’s rotation, but ironically provides minimal resistance to fractures propagating in this same plane.

Conclusion

  • As a result, the researchers were able to connect the common paths of distal condylar fractures in the horse’s third metacarpal bones with the anisotropic structural features of the mineralised tissues, providing an explanation rooted in the bone’s unique microarchitecture.

Cite This Article

APA
Boyde A, Haroon Y, Jones SJ, Riggs CM. (1999). Three dimensional structure of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal bone of the horse. Equine Vet J, 31(2), 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03805.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 2
Pages: 122-129

Researcher Affiliations

Boyde, A
  • Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, UK.
Haroon, Y
    Jones, S J
      Riggs, C M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cartilage, Articular / ultrastructure
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Metacarpus / anatomy & histology
        • Metacarpus / ultrastructure
        • Microscopy, Confocal
        • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

        Citations

        This article has been cited 14 times.
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        6. Laverty S, Lacourt M, Gao C, Henderson JE, Boyde A. High density infill in cracks and protrusions from the articular calcified cartilage in osteoarthritis in standardbred horse carpal bones. Int J Mol Sci 2015 Apr 28;16(5):9600-11.
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        8. Muir P, Peterson AL, Sample SJ, Scollay MC, Markel MD, Kalscheur VL. Exercise-induced metacarpophalangeal joint adaptation in the Thoroughbred racehorse. J Anat 2008 Dec;213(6):706-17.
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        10. Boyde A, Firth EC. Articular calcified cartilage canals in the third metacarpal bone of 2-year-old thoroughbred racehorses. J Anat 2004 Dec;205(6):491-500.
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        12. Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Lee PV. Advancements in Subchondral Bone Biomechanics: Insights from Computed Tomography and Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging in Equine Models. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2024 Dec;22(6):544-552.
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          doi: 10.1111/evj.14131pubmed: 39143731google scholar: lookup
        14. Boros K, Dyson S, Kovács Á, Lang Z, Nagy A. Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Sagittal Ridge of the Third Metacarpal Bone in Young Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Longitudinal Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 6;14(5).
          doi: 10.3390/ani14050812pubmed: 38473196google scholar: lookup
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